Common symptoms of psychosis feel very real and include hallucinations, delusions (false beliefs), paranoia, or disorganized thoughts and speech. Other symptoms may include:
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Because everyone experiences psychosis differently, recovery time depends on the individual.
Typically, recovery from a first episode of psychotic symptoms will take a number of months or longer. Recovery also involves treating related challenges such as depression, anxiety, decreased self-esteem, and difficulty in social situations, which can take time.
It is common for young people experiencing psychosis for the first time to be reluctant to get help. It can take some time for someone to come around to accepting help. They might:
Recovery can be very difficult without treatment. Having the help of mental health professionals can greatly improve your recovery experience. Treatment helps people living with psychosis to manage their episodes and maintain their everyday lives.
FACT: Most experts agree that genetics, substance use, stress, and other risk factors may lead to psychosis.
FACT: Psychosis is a medical disorder that affects the brain. Like any other injury, the brain needs to heal. This might mean that the person sleeps a lot, not that they’re lazy.
FACT: The person’s learning difficulties may be due to the illness, not a lack of intelligence.
FACT: Psychosis has nothing to do with being weak. It results from changes in the way the brain works. Medication and psychosocial therapies can help.
FACT: Having psychosis and being a psychopath are not the same. People who a suffer from psychosis are rarely violent. They’re more often frightened, confused and despondent.